What can I say about this pen other than it is HUGE!! I have wanted this pen for quite sometime and the problem was the price. I have seen the price of this pen all the way up to the $400.00 USD mark. There was no way I was going to buy this pen as far as I was concerned. I searched everywhere to find this pen at an affordable price. I must have searched for about 2 weeks straight over my Christmas vacation. New Years Eve I ran across www.pengallery.com on the internet. They had the Pelikan M1000 in stock and there was a text box next to the picture. It stated “Contact Us for a Special Price”. So I contacted them and they replied to my email 10 minutes later. Well, they are located halfway around the world in Malaysia. I was a bit skeptical about buying pens from the Far East but I heard some really good reviews and feedback on their EBay store.

Appearance/ Finish5 out of 5

I stayed home from work the day the DHL man was supposed to deliver the package. I was in the front room drinking coffee and watching “The Wiggles” with my daughter, 2 years old at that time. I saw this yellow jet come flying down the road. He raced up my driveway and I thought he was going to plow right through my garage. I just about wet my pants in anticipation. He got out of his van and sprinted to my door and gave me the package as I finished signing the paperwork. He then sprinted back out to his van and then laid rubber in my driveway and road. Thank God I was not going anywhere. I would hate to be on the road with this guy racing next to me!!!!!!!I opened the package and there it was, my Pelikan M1000. I brought out my Pelikan M600 to compare size. I opened the box and I couldn’t believe the size of this pen. It had a high gloss shine to it and it practically glowed!!! I was in total awe in the presence of this titan of a pen!!

Design/Size/Weight5 out of 5

Wow, what can I say?? This is the largest pen in my inventory and it is the largest pen I have ever held at that time. The design is the typical Pelikan design of the M series. I consider it a very stealthy look and the design is simple but yet very complex. The Pelikan M1000 is the Flagship for the Pelikan M series and I consider this to be the pinnacle of German fountain Pen Engineering. The gold bands around the lip of the cap are made very solid and so is the Pelikan clip. Comparing this giant with the M600, M400 and M200’s, everything looked so small and delicate. The length of this pen is well over 5 ¾ (inches) capped. Posted, this pen is close to 7 inches and it is a mammoth of a fountain pen. The weight of the M1000 is slightly less than the Mont Blanc Meisterstuck, if you can believe that. To some, this pen might weigh as much as a M1A2 Abrams Tank and it takes some getting used to especially if you post your cap. I find that this pen is made for both small and large hands. If you have smaller hands, you might not want to post this pen. Likewise, if you have large hands then it would seem reasonable to post your cap. Either way this pen is quite balanced and a lot of thought was put into the design. I believe that a lot of the weight of this pen is from the brass parts that are used in the piston filler. I will get into this in the next section.

Nib Design and Performance5 out of 5

This pen sports a nib that is over 1 inch long and is made out of 18 kt gold that is two tone. The design is the common Bock nib design and has the Little Mommy Pelikan in a gold color etched in the middle of the nib. The Pelikan M1000 nib is approximately the same size as the Mont Blanc 149 nib. This is your typical Pelikan screw in Nib/feed unit. This makes swapping nibs a total breeze especially if you want to switch to a broader or finer nib.One good thing about Pelikan is that they make nibs in various sizes. There is a nib size that will satisfy anyone’s tastes. Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Double Broad, Triple Broad, Oblique Medium, Oblique Broad, Oblique Double Broad and Oblique Triple Broad.

I bought the medium width nib and I was very surprised by the performance. I find it to be very springy and soft and I would not consider it to be flexible as would some of the vintage pens would be. I filled this pen with my favorite ink, Private Reserve 2004 DC Super Show Blue. The pen put down a very nice line of ink, especially when I applied a bit more pressure. With a regular writing pressure, this pen wrote a nice wet medium line. The way the nib laid down the PR SS Blue was phenomenal. This nib ranked up there with some of the finest nibs made today. Might I add that this is one hell of a smooth writer. It happened to glide across the paper as Michael Jackson would Moonwalk across the stage.The way this pen wrote was so much better than I anticipated and that made writing with this pen so much sweeter!!

The Filling System5 out of 5

This pen has the filling system that I desire most, the Piston Filler!! The M800 and the M1000 use brass parts for its piston and that is what makes this pen a bit heavy. The knob on the rear turned effortlessly to move the piston mechanism up or down, depending on if you are turning clock wise to expel ink or counter-clockwise to fill the pen with ink. The piston provided an adequate amount of resistance so that the knob wouldn’t be inadvertently turned while in your shirt pocket, thus preventing accidental release of ink into the cap and shirt!!The Piston chamber holds a good amount of ink but I feel that it is a bit less than the Mont Blanc 149 but I will not complain. Filling is very easy and so is cleaning the pen. I noticed that there is a lot of pressure in the chamber because when you empty the ink out, it doesn’t dribble out, it squirts out. I think this is why the pen writes so well because the chamber has enough pressure to force the ink out and that causes the ink to flow quite well and I have yet had an issue with the flow of ink while writing. I can leave the pen for a week, pick it up and write without hesitation.

Cost5 out of 5

Ok, I would have given this pen a low score due to the MSRP and the costs at some of the other popular fountain pen stores. Well, I found the M1000 at Pen Gallery www.pengallery.com which is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I spoke (by email) with Lai and he is really a fantastic guy and might I add, extremely honest. I was able to get this pen for $250.00 USD plus $15.00 USD for shipping via DHL. Yes, the shipping is a bit high BUT even with the cost of shipping included, there is no way you could touch the price, ANYWHERE except for buying it used and then still it may be more!!! Since Pelikan raised the price of pens by 15% (if I remember correctly). The last time I checked Pen Gallery, it was at $325.00 USD. The price did jump up a bit but I also suggest checking out their EBay Store. I am sure it is listed as Pen Gallery in EBay. They sell a lot of pens with the “buy it now” option and you might even get a better deal there then on the main site. Do yourself a favor and shop around, you will thank yourself for doing that and I am sure you will save a nice chunk of change. Check with Pen Gallery and the Pen Gallery EBay store first, so far they have had the best price on the Pelikan M1000. Normally I would say $250.00 to $325.00 USD for a fountain pen might seem a bit excessive. You have to consider the price other stores are charging everywhere else and you also have to take into account that are also paying for Pelikan's "Flagship" model of the M-Series.

Conclusion

The Pelikan M1000 is the pen I have been waiting so patiently for. I have see so many pictures and heard so many things about it. With a bit of bargain hunting and some luck, I was able to get a great deal on this remarkable pen. The Pelikan M1000 is cheaper than the Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 149 but it is as every bit of pen as the Mont Blanc 149. It is personal preference as to which pen you would want to buy. The Mont Blanc has curves, but is the curves and the snowcap worth that much more than the M1000? That is a decision that you are going to have to make. I have to really confess that the Pelikan M1000 is one of the finest Oversized fountain pens on the market today, PERIOD!!!!! There were no corners cut here and the workmanship is simply perfect! Why is the Pelikan M1000 the flagship of the M series? That is an easy question to answer; it is a pen that has built its reputation on quality, performance and perfection. That is why this pen is a modern day legend.

Yep, shure is purdy. I suspect that an M800 would float my boat as well as the 1000, though, just like the MB 146 is as appealing, to me, as the 149. I thought for a long time that I liked really big pens, but as I've handled more varieties, I'm realizing that size isn't everything. (Stop those smirks!)

Looks like Pel's price increase is catching hold. I see that Pam B is up $20.00 on the M1000, with increases showing up across the whole Pel Sovereign line.

Actually, isn't the MSRP of the Pel M1000 and the MB 149 pretty similar?

BTW, I read the other day (think it was on PT) that Pel is setting up to make their own nibs again. Can anyone confirm this?

Your reviews continue to be like the comics, for me. I turn to them first!

WOW!!! I'm very fortunate in that I'm about to be able to get a new Pel from Pam Braun, but can't go for the M1000. I'm going for the M805 in blue with black stripes (silver trim). This just wets my appetite that much more. GREAT review of an awesome pen! Enjoy it thoroughly!!!

﻿"But ﻿God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8, NKJV)

Thanks for the compliments, I do appreciate it. I really enjoy doing reviews, i like some humor in reviews rather than just a dry collection of words. Thats one thing I love about FPN, the members that do reviews here are always informative and has a bit of spice to it to make it interesting!!!

As for the size of of OVERsized pens, I have to say it was an aquired taste. My first REAL pens were smaller vintage Waterman, and modern Pelikan pens 75go, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400. I then bought a Pelikan M600 and at the time I thought a had a huge pen. Well from there I made the jump to the M1000. It really took some getting used to but after that 95% of all the pens I buy now are all either full sized or Oversized. I have small hands but for some reason Oversize pens fit well for me.

I'm lucky to own an M800 (green stripes) with a Mottishawed B nib that is unbelievably smooth. All of Sav's favorable comments about the M1000's looks, balance, nib, filling system, etc. can be said about the M800 as well. It's a bit too much pen to carry around in a shirt pocket and (for me) a bit too hefty for extended writing. I use it to sign documents and for occasional note taking. Quite a pen.

I'm lucky to own an M800 (green stripes) with a Mottishawed B nib that is unbelievably smooth. All of Sav's favorable comments about the M1000's looks, balance, nib, filling system, etc. can be said about the M800 as well. It's a bit too much pen to carry around in a shirt pocket and (for me) a bit too hefty for extended writing. I use it to sign documents and for occasional note taking. Quite a pen.

Viseguy, you have a point. There is a time and a place to use and not use Oversize pens. Thats why when I go to work, I use a 3 pen case. I pack at a minium 1 OS pen and 1 smaller sized pen like my Noble Savage modified Stipula 22:lol: or Pelikan 400 (or something in that size) and my Vanishing Point (I never leave home without it)

Congrats and welcome to the M1000 club. :-) I got mine for the same price from Christian Fricke in Germany circa '99, so you did well. It's worked perfectly for daily logs, going from a two mile walk in summer heat (clipped to my shirt) to the air conditioned server room where I worked and back again without issue. It may not be the most exotic pen out there, but nothing in the fit, finish, or function has ever given me cause for distraction from its intended purpose--it just works.

Fantastic revue Aaron. There are two pens that I have sold and then bought again. One is the Waterman Carene and the other is a Pelikan 800.
The first 800 was red striped and had an OB nib and for some reason, it just didn't "send' me.
After awhile, I felt that I had made a mistake so I bought a green striped one with an OM nib and I'm much happier with this pen.
Speaking of oversized pens, I realized that my 12 pen case is filled with large pens. Waterman Liason, Pel 800, Conklin Durograph etc, etc. I took it out of my bag when I was meeting with a client and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. I just casually put it back in my bag and didn't say a word

Of course as far as oversized, I don't think you can get much bigger than the Mikado. But I don't carry that around with me.

And for those who are following my one-day at a time penaholic status. I'm still on track. 13 days pen buying free.

I see that you got the older style barrel, I don't see an ink window??? Is that a problem for you? And, where did you get it from??Thanks

You cannot see it but there is an ink window. The the typical dark Green window on the black pens. I also have a full pen and lastly, During color correction, I increased the contrast and fiddled with the brightness and levels. So that is enough for you not to see the window. As far as I know, this was the latest model when I bought it in January of 2005.

Since the ink sticks to the barrel, sometimes I have to hold the pen to the light and watch the ink level slowly go down so I can see how much ink I have left. I have a couple of other piston filling pens that do not have an ink view window. So whenever the ink flow gets lighte, I know that there is no ink left in the chamber and all the remaining ink in in the feed and nib. So that mean it is time to give the pens some food!!!

Your review inspired me to ink up my blue stripe M805 which is already a little bit too much pen for me. It's one of those rare ones that I find a bit more comfortable uncapped. I reallly like the clean look of your black unstripped model.

Your review inspired me to ink up my blue stripe M805 which is already a little bit too much pen for me. It's one of those rare ones that I find a bit more comfortable uncapped. I reallly like the clean look of your black unstripped model.

No question about it, Will. A big shiny black with GT FP makes a statement. It might be a guy sort of thing!

In person when I saw it the thing that amazed me more than anything is that gorgeous looking feed it is a stunning feed and complements that amazing nib more than anything else.
It seems that on all of the reviews of this pen though it tended to be reviewed on the medium nib, does anybody have expierence on the fine nib??? Is it still silky smooth and as good as the medium nib??
Thanks

I myself have an M800 (red striped) with a M nib. A great pen to use, but I am seriously considering getting it stubbed, just to get some line variation out of it. I think the M1000 would be a bit too big for my hands, but then again, it has that springy nib....

My question is this:
How is it that the M1000's nib is springy and yet the nibs on my M800, M200 and M150 are not? Is it something to do with the size of the nib? Anyone know?

I myself have an M800 (red striped) with a M nib. A great pen to use, but I am seriously considering getting it stubbed, just to get some line variation out of it.

Hey, that is the same model I happen to have. I bought a OM nib for it, and I reworked it a little to get better performance from it. I think getting it stubbed sounds like a good idea .

I think the M1000 would be a bit too big for my hands, but then again, it has that springy nib....

My question is this:How is it that the M1000's nib is springy and yet the nibs on my M800, M200 and M150 are not? Is it something to do with the size of the nib? Anyone know?

Yes, it is mostly the size. The metal is the same thickness as the M800 nibs, but it is much bigger, and has much longer tines. The length of it causes the springiness. The pen itself isn't really that much bigger than an M800, btw, so you may consider it. It can be made into a flex nib fairly easily as well. John Mottishaw does this, just check out his site.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

the Mad Dutchmanlaugh a little, love a little, live a lot; laugh a lot, love a lot, live forever

I myself have an M800 (red striped) with a M nib. A great pen to use, but I am seriously considering getting it stubbed, just to get some line variation out of it.

Hey, that is the same model I happen to have. I bought a OM nib for it, and I reworked it a little to get better performance from it. I think getting it stubbed sounds like a good idea .

I think the M1000 would be a bit too big for my hands, but then again, it has that springy nib....

My question is this:How is it that the M1000's nib is springy and yet the nibs on my M800, M200 and M150 are not? Is it something to do with the size of the nib? Anyone know?

Yes, it is mostly the size. The metal is the same thickness as the M800 nibs, but it is much bigger, and has much longer tines. The length of it causes the springiness. The pen itself isn't really that much bigger than an M800, btw, so you may consider it. It can be made into a flex nib fairly easily as well. John Mottishaw does this, just check out his site.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

Thanks for answering my question, Wim. It's always something that puzzled me a bit, as I know that many vintage flexy nibs are not necessarily large in size.....

As for my pen's size, I love my M800 so I am content to stick with it but your ideas re: nib modification are very useful, thanks!

Yea the nib is really big and that causes the flex, a very beautiful nib not cramped up with space as the other nibs so the decoration/logos are not looking stuffy it can envelope the whole nib and flourish a true beauty.

Damn, the M1000 size is the only Pelikan size I don't own, and I have the largest hands of all people I know, so it would make a lot of sense I hardly even use my M4xx and M6xx Pelikans because they are too small, but I do use my M350 occasionally although it's like writing with a toothpick... I passed up a couple of good occasions to acquire a M10x0 model (especially with x=5), mainly because at the time I considered its poor ink capacity to be a major design flaw, but meanwhile I figure I rotate so many pens and enjoy filling them anyway so that ink capacity would not be a problem (although I still think it's a design flaw). And I tremendously regret not getting a Tighe M1000 in solid titanium at the time his pens were still Pelikan models with upgraded materials, quite opposite to his present offerings. Anyway, my interest in a M1000 based model is now rekindled (too bad all special editions in this size are so expensive, though I would consider paying a lot for a M1000 sized Toledo which does, unfortunately, not exist). And based on my experience with various M800 nibs, I would probably choose an EF nib, assuming the pen would be used to write a lot rather than just for signatures (and because of the poor ink capacity).